RiverHawks shut down in series finale

06/03/2012 5:27 PM -

LOVES PARK, Ill. – London starter Johan Gonzalez (2-0) allowed an unearned run on five hits over seven strong innings, and the London Rippers beat the Rockford RiverHawks 12-1 on Sunday to take two of three in the series.

The Rippers were able to get on the board early with two runs in the first inning as Rockford starter Kevin Patterson (0-2) allowed four straight two-out walks and a wild pitch to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. The Rippers were able to score five more in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run homer by Tony Delmonico.

Patterson would not make it out of the second inning, allowing six runs, four earned, on two hits and five walks in 1 1/3 innings. 

The Rippers would get another in the third off reliever Jordan Stern on an RBI single by Joash Brodin, who finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBI to raise his batting average to .379. They would add another in the fourth off Stern on a homer by Zach Larson and would put two more on the board in the fifth.

The RiverHawks would get on the board in the seventh inning, scoring an unearned run off Gonzalez on a fielder’s choice and throwing error by Delmonico.   London’s David Christensen would add a solo homer to extend the lead to 12-1. 

Javier Herrera would go 2-for-4 to extend his hit streak to 10 games and raise his average to .375 on the season. Evan Button went 2-for-4 to raise his average to .326. 

The RiverHawks are off tomorrow, but they hit the road to face the Traverse City Beach Bums starting Tuesday. The RiverHawks will send lefty Kasey Kiker (0-0, 9.00 ERA) to make his second start in a RiverHawks uniform.  Traverse City has not announced a starter.   First pitch is slated for 6:05 CDT. 

The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league in its 20th season. Games are broadcast on NTA-FM (100.5). Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.